Removable Chock

ABSTRACT

A removal chock for securing coolers, storage bins, and tool boxes on boats, and cargo areas of vehicles and trailers and the like. The low-profile base mounts to any flat surface, and allows the chock to be installed and uninstalled from the base without the use of any tools. The chock can be removed from the base when not being used and the base remains installed. The low-profile design of the base greatly reduces the potential trip hazard, as well as offers an aesthetically pleasing appearance than a permanently installed chock.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62/379,296 filed on Aug. 25, 2016, which isincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device for securing items,such as coolers, tool boxes, and storage containers, on flat surfaces ofboats, cargo beds of motor vehicles and trailers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices that are currently used to secure items, such as coolers, toolboxes, and storage containers, are typically in the form of permanentlymounted chocks.

These devices are typically installed using multiple screws to attachthe chocks to the floor or cargo surface. They are generally in the formof a large “L” shaped chock, whereas, 4 of them are installed on a flatsurface strategically located at the 4 outside corners of the item to besecured. Once installed, they are permanent and cannot be removedwithout removing the attachment screws, thereby exposing multiple holesin the surface they were attached too. The chocks can create a triphazard, as well as become aesthetically unpleasing whenever the storeditem is removed.

A solution to the problem would be a chock that is easily removable,when not being used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention address this problem by providing atwo-piece base and chock assembly, whereas the chock can be easilyremoved when not being used to secure items. The base is “L” shaped andhas a very low profile and has provisions for the chock to be installedwith interlocking features so it does not require the use of any tools.The base is first attached to the flat surface using multiple screws,but can also be installed by other means. The chock is also “L” shaped.The chock is then installed to the base by simply sliding it into thechannel provided in the base. The base and chock geometry is designed sothat the two interlock and are held together without the use of anymechanical fasteners. Typically, a plurality of 4 embodiments are usedat the location of the four outer corners of the item to be secured.When not in use, the chocks can be removed and the low-profile base isremained attached to the flat surface, thereby reducing a potential triphazard and is aesthetically pleasing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be understood best by those with ordinary skill in theart, with reference to the following drawings, along with the detaileddescription:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of the embodiment shownassembled.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded top perspective view of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the embodiment shownassembled.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded bottom perspective view of theembodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of the embodiment includingthe sectional cut planes for FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 6 in FIG. 5with the embodiment installed on a horizontal mounting surface.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 7 in FIG. 5with the embodiment installed on a horizontal mounting surface.

FIG. 8 illustrates the embodiments in one possible exemplaryconfiguration for retaining a cooler.

FIG. 9 illustrates the base embodiments with the chock embodimentsuninstalled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, details of the embodiment will be describedherein.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, a plurality of the embodiment can beinstalled to help secure items, such as a cooler, tool box, or storagecontainer 17 on a horizontal surface 16, such as a boat deck, vehicle ortrailer cargo bed. The embodiment consists of a base 1 and a chock 2.First, the base 1 is installed on a horizontal surface 16 (specificswill be further explained later) then the chock 2 can be inserted intothe base 1 allowing a means of retaining items, such as a cooler orstorage container 17, in place on a horizontal surface 16.

The base 2 has a low-profile surface 8 and a beveled edge surface 6 (seeFIGS. 5, 6 and 7) and are intended to allow the base 1 from being anobstruction when the chock 2 is not installed (see FIG. 9) therebyreducing the risk of a potential trip hazard, as one example.

The base 1 has multiple mounting holes 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) forattaching to a horizontal surface 16, such as a boat deck or cargo bed.Mechanical fasteners 15 can be inserted through the mounting holes 4 andinto the desired mounting surface 16 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) but other meansof attachment are possible, without changing the spirit of theinvention.

The chock 2, is designed to be inserted into the base 1 without the useof any tools. Chock 2 has an extended horizontal flange 9 which isinserted into an opposing channel 7 in the base 1. The flange 9 andchannel 7 are designed to interlock and retain the chock 2 with the base1 together when the chock is installed (see FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 6)

To further retain the base 1 and chock 2 from disengaging, recesseddepressions 3 in the base 1 and vertical ribs 11 on the chock 2 “locktogether when the chock 2 is inserted into the base 1 (see FIGS. 5 and7) Again, no tools are necessary for installing or uninstalling thechock 2 into the base 1.

The chock 2 has two adjacent vertical surfaces 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 8)for the purpose of “retaining” items in place. “Column” type shapes 13are adjacent the ends of the chock 2 vertical wall surfaces 12 (see FIG.2) which add rigidity to the vertical surfaces, but are not required forthe spirit of the invention.

The chock 2 also has a “hook” feature 14 (see FIGS. 1, 6, and 8)extending from the intersection of the adjacent vertical wall surfaces12, allowing an additional means for securing the stored item byattaching a tie down, such as a bungee cord of rope and the like.

The base 1 has longitudinal channels 5 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) locatedunderside extending from the interior corner to the exterior corner,thereby allowing water, or other liquids, to drain and not be trapped inthe channel 7.

The chock 2 also has a horizontal web surface, joining the bottom of thevertical wall surfaces 12 further adding further rigidity to the chock.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A removable chock assembly comprising: a basehaving an inward side defining a first inside corner and a channelformed through said inward side; a chock having a pair of vertical wallsconnected together and defining a second inside corner; said chockfurther having a flange extending from said pair of vertical walls in adirection opposite of said second inside corner; and said chockremovably connected to said base with said chock disposed within saidfirst inside corner and said flange disposed within said channel. 12.The removable chock assembly of claim 1, wherein: said chock furthercomprising vertical ribs depending downwardly therefrom; said basefurther comprising depressions formed through a top side of said base;and wherein said vertical ribs are removably received by saiddepressions when said chock is removably connected to said base andprevent said flange from being withdrawn from said channel.
 13. Theremovable chock assembly of claim 1, wherein said chock furthercomprising an elongated downward facing hook attached to said pair ofvertical walls on a side opposite of said second inside corner.
 14. Theremovable chock assembly of claim 1, wherein said base further comprisesdrain channels formed through a bottom side of said base.
 15. Theremovable chock assembly of claim 1, wherein said chock furthercomprises a web extending between said pair of vertical walls and acrosssaid second inside corner.
 16. The removable chock assembly of claim 1,wherein said chock further comprises vertical columns extending adjacentto said pair of vertical walls, thereby providing rigidity to eachvertical wall of said pair of vertical walls.
 17. The removable chockassembly of claim 16, wherein: said chock further comprising a verticalrib depending downwardly from each vertical column; said base furthercomprising depressions formed through a top side of said base; andwherein said vertical ribs are removably received by said depressionswhen said chock is removably connected to said base and prevent saidflange from being withdrawn from said channel.
 18. The removable chockassembly of claim 1, wherein said base includes a plurality of holesextending therethrough for securing said base to a cargo surface usingmechanical fasteners.